Comparison of lymphatic complications between sentinel node navigation surgery and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with cervical cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) has been frequently used in early cervical cancer. However, the incidence and potential reduction of lymphatic complications following the removal of the sentinel lymph node remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of lymphatic complications post sentinel node navigation surgery in patients with early cervical cancer. Methods A total of 167 patients, including 70 and 97 patients who had undergone SNNS and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA), respectively, were enrolled in this study. We compared the lymphatic complications (lower extremity lymphedema and pelvic lymphocele) between the SNNS and PLA groups. Results The median number of sentinel lymph nodes removed was 2 (range: 1–14). Among the 70 patients in the SNNS group, there were 0 (0%) and 3 (4.3%) occurrences of lower extremity lymphedema and pelvic lymphocele, respectively. The occurrences of lower extremity lymphedema and pelvic lymphocele were significantly lower in the SNNS group than in the PLA group, despite circumflex iliac node removal. Conclusions The occurrence of lymphatic complications (lower extremity lymphedema and pelvic lymphocele) was significantly lower in the SNNS group than in the PLA group. We found that SNNS, and not PLA, was the best treatment option for preventing the development of lower extremity lymphedema and pelvic lymphocele, despite circumflex iliac node preservation.